Sisters

by Louisa May Alcott

Your sister might be the kindred soul who knows you best, or the most alien being in your household; she might enrage you or inspire you; she might be your fiercest competitor or closest co-conspirator, but she'll always share with you a totally unique bond. Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy are four of the most famous sisters in literature, and these stories of the joys and heartaches they share are a touching celebration of the special ties of sisterhood. Selected from the books Little Women and Good Wives by Louisa May Alcott.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Short Stories, American

96 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2017

About the author

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Good Wives (1869), Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised in New England by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May Alcott and Amos Bronson Alcott, she grew up among many well-known intellectuals of the day, including Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.

Reviews

[steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starting this book I was mistaken into thinking it was a compilation of story stories about the four sisters we all know and love, Meg, Jo, Beth & Amy. But no - these are not new stories but excepts from both Little Women and Good Wives. I didn't realise until Amy does that unforgivable thing to Jo (if you know, you know).

I was surprised how well they worked as an overall narrative with so much missing. The same cosy feeling is maintained however, like the whole book, I found their sweetness to be too sickly to be believed so while I could appreciate the writing, it isn't my favourite.

[Marjolein (UrlPhantomhive) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com

Until the recent Little Women movie, I have to admit I was rather unaware of the book. I knew it existed, but as one of the many classics I vaguely recognize the title of. I was completely unaware that this little book, which had been lingering on my shelves for some time, contained fragments of Little Women.

I had bought Sisters, first because I have two sisters myself and second because I wanted to try out this Vintage Mini series to see if they were as nice as the Little Black Classics (although they are about five times as expensive). Having seen the movie and making the connection, I wanted to read it.

It is a short read, selecting certain scenes of particular sisterhood between the sisters. The writing was nice, but the passages were rather short. I would however, like to read the full book sometimes. I am however, not really convinced of the Vintage Mini concept, and think I will just keep it at this one.

[Suad Shamma · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this was basically a collection of bits and pieces from Little Women, chapters carefully chosen to portray sisterhood and family.

I can't even remember the last time I read Little Women, or seen the movie, but it was nice to reread some of these chapters again and relive them. It makes me mad all over again that Jo did not end up with Laurie...WHY?!

Coming from a family of only sisters, with no brothers, this was definitely something I could relate to very much. Although, certain parts, especially between Jo and Amy really frustrated me.

Great read nonetheless.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

The chapters were well-chosen and it was lovely to read them again!

[Charlie]

I have wanted to read little woman for a long time, but when I discussed this idead with a friend (shout out Fran) recently she made me aware of somethings she (rightly) thought I wouldn't enjoy. Yesterday, I was at a second hand book store the and happened to this. Originally I was drawn to it and saw it my opportunity to see if the full novel would be for me, but the timing forced my hand- my own sister is visiting this week. I read it and I think my friend was right. Eventually I might still give it a whirl but it will never be the favioute classic I thought it could.

[Dane Cobain · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately I just found this too sickly sweet for my liking, which is a shame because it’s the first book that I’ve tried out of my Vintage Mini Moderns box set. It’s also put me off reading any more Alcott, I think I’m just too old and jaded for her style of writing. And her dialogue in particular.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick little read on last day of vacation. Sisters are the best....especially mine.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Little Women however I expected this to be something else or more than just excerpts from Little Women. So although I love the story, this collection of scenes wasn't anything special.

[Luz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was basically a collection of bits and pieces from Little Women, chapters carefully chosen to portray sisterhood and family

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some excerpts from Little Women to end the year. At least I don't have to finish What We Talk About When We Talk About Love...

[Thanos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool and classic !

[Hestia Istiviani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read in English but this review is in Bahasa Indonesia

It's bad enough to be a girl, any way, when I like boys' games, and work, and manners.

Berisi potongan kisah dari buku Little Women karangan Louisa May Alcott. Terutama pada bagian-bagian yang menceritakan kedekatan antara 4 saudari March: Meg, Jo, Beth, dan Amy. Dalam Vintage Minis edisi Sisters tergambarlah bahwa kehidupan sebagai 4 anak perempuan tidaklah selalu tentang berbagi tawa. Mereka juga pernah bertengkar, berkelahi, tidak ingin diganggu, sedih karena marah, sedih karena memang sedih, hingga sedih karena terharu.

Bagian favoritku (yang aku kira relevan dengan hidupku sebagai seorang kakak perempuan untuk dua orang adik perempuan) adalah ketika Jo dan Amy berkelahi. Mereka berdua saling menyalahkan tetapi sang ibu, Mrs. March, mampu menengahi mereka untuk saling memaafkan. Sebab, seringkali ego individu yang didahulukan. Apalagi kalau sudah dengan saudara sendiri. Tetapi dalam Sisters, ditunjukkan bahwa memaafkan terkadang memang tidak membutuhkan banyak kata. Dengan senyum dan kecupan kasih sayang, bisa jadi lebih kuat ketimbang diucapkan.

"My dear, don't let the sun go down upon your anger, forgive each other, help each other, and begin again tomorrow."

Mungkin, Sisters bisa dijadikan pemantik pertama apabila masih ragu-ragu untuk membaca Little Women. Lagipula, bisa dianggap sebagai pemanasan sebelum menonton filmnya kan?

[Aiman Khan. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story jotted about 4 sisters, their differences yet their love for other against all odds set by time. I'd say "Even within differences, love can flourish."

This was a fine read. A light one, with some lovely thoughts that did come off as soothing. Even though I'm not a classics person, I liked this short read.

Some brief excerpts from the book:
• We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, & ought to do it gladly.
Our burdens are here, our road is before us, & the longing for goodness & happiness is the guide that leads us through many troubles & mistakes to the peace.
. . • Don't let the sun go down upon your anger, forgive each other, help each other & begin again tomorrow.
•Never get tired of trying & never think it's impossible to conquer your fault.
• Believe this heartily, & go to God with all your little cares, hopes, & sins, & sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother.

[Megan Staunton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think that the Vintage Minis are such a great way of re-purposing content, and having read Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, it was nice to re-read a few lovely chapters, but I don't think this one works as a standalone. Will continue to read a few more Vintage Minis though - will just favour those from an author who has written much more widely that Alcott.

[Emma Dargue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four short excerpts of Louisa May Alcott's series of Little Women books about the March series. I liked this little book as it made me want to read Little Women even more despite having watched the movies and loved the 1994 version of the movie. So if this book has done one thing it has made me move Little Women up my TBR list.

[Milly Paris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute. A smart idea but I didn't realise that it would just be excerpts of Little Women (which I have read many times). Soooo for me it was nothing new but it just reminded me how much I love Little Women and that I should really give it a re-read.

[Plainqoma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well chosen excerpts from “The Little Women” and “Good Wives” which resonates with the title. I loved “The Little Women” and the adaptations for the movies. It’s lovely to read it again in this cute vintage minis collection.

Some of the excerpts are;
- when the sisters discussing about their Christmas presents
- the heated arguments between Jo and Amy
- Beth’s in a grave situation
- Meg’s wedding day

[Stefani · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did not check what writing on sisters this would be...I should've realized it's the Little Women sisters really. Regardless, it was a nice reminder of them even though I've already read the full book.

[Vita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dobila od ucitla za anglescino v devetem razredu kot poslovilno darilo in sele par let kasneje ugotovila da je ta knjiga mini little women. Mitja, hvala ti ful je kjut sam so strani mal zgubane od solz pa vremenskih razmer v katerih sem jo prebirala. pa ful ma lepo posvetilo!!!

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never read Little Women and don't know if I will read the whole book ... They're all a bit too saintly for me!

[I-330 · Rating 2 out of 5]

a heartwarming simple book

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Little Women, although I thought it was about 300 pages too long - so this was perfect!

[The Contented · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely little taster of a book. Timely reminder that I should re-read Little Women someday

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute extracts from Little Women and Good Wives

[Aman Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Little Women is a must.

[HELENE · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh how i love the march-sisters

[Thierry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was such a good book, the english was a bit of older times. So that made it hard to read sometimes, but overall a really good book

[Mathilda Löwegren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy read!

[Istiningdyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrap-Up review